Train up a child?

Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)
Train up a child in the way he should go,

Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

We've all heard that verse - maybe a million times.  We've probably even quoted it!  The usual interpretation of the verse is something like, "Make sure you take your kids to church and teach them about God and when they are old, they will stick with it." Or, "After they've sewn their wild oats or strayed away from God, they will come back to Him or the church."

Can't you think of parents (or maybe you are one) who did the best they knew how, to take their children to church or to teach them about God and now the kids (or adults) are far away?  They've "backslidden" and have never come back.  They've maybe even died before they came back to God.

Is God a liar?  His Word says to train a child in the way... etc. 

Check out these versions of the verse:

Amplified Bible:
Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

The Message:
Point your kids in the right direction—

when they're old they won't be lost.

Are you doing this?  You may say, yes, my children are always in church.  Or, yes, we are passing our faith on to our children in a great way and they get it! 

Good, but are you training your child in the way he should go in his individual gifting or are you waiting until he is in college and he can figure it out for himself?

Are you providing opportunities for your child that are in the direction that he is interested in?  For instance, if your child loves art or crafts, do you provide art classes for him?  Do you keep a box of art supplies around and encourage him to use them?  Do you include art history or the study of famous artists into his curriculum?  Do you provide opportunities for him to use his gift at church or in helping others?  Do you show him how to use his gift to bring glory to God the ultimate artist?

Just something to think about.  Please share with us what you are doing to intentionally direct your children.
Photo by touregypt